Application of some lactic acid bacteria strains to improve fermentation and aerobic stability of maize silage

Abstract

The object of the trial was to study the effect of some lactic acid bacteria strains on the fermentation and aerobic stability of whole plant maize silages.
The whole plant maize raw material was 32% DM, in soft cheddar stage of grain ripeness. It was ensiled in 4.2 litre capacity glass micro-size silos in 5 replicates /each treatment and stored on constant air conditioned room temperature (22 ^oC) during 95 days. The average packing density of raw material was 211 kg DM/m³.
The applied treatments: 1. Untreated control maize, 2. Enterococcus faecium 100,000 CFU/g fresh maize (FM), 3. Lactobacillus plantarum 50,000 CFU/g FM + Enterococcus faecium 50,000 CFU/g FM, 4. Lactococcus lactis 100,000 CFU/g FM, 5. Lactobacillus plantarum 50,000 CFU/g FM + Lactococcus lactis 50,000 CFU/g FM, 6. Lactobacillus plantarum 100,000 CFU/g FM.
Aerobic stability study:  Applied Honig (1990 system).
The main experiences are the following: Applied lactic acid bacteria strains improved the quality of fermentation of maize in general compare to untreated control one.
Lactic acid bacteria strains significantly stimulated lactic acid production and decreased propionic and butyric acid production. The origin of ammonia decreased also under influence of lactic acid bacteria strains in unaerobic conditions.
Enterococcus faecium and.Lactococcus lactis are not able to protect the maize silages against the aerobic deterioration with the applied dosage.  
Lactobacillus plantarum itself produced the most favourable fermentation characteristics and protected the aerobic stability of silage the most effectively (during 4 day) compare to all other treated maize silages.